Changes to SBA’s HUBZone Program Are Here: Their Impact on Your Business Goals

Effective December 26, 2019, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will implement final rules overhauling regulations for the Historically Underutilized Business Zone Program (HUBZone Program). The new rules will (1) offer HUBZone firms reduced regulatory burdens, (2) help government agencies by eliminating ambiguities in the regulations, and (3) make it easier for HUBZone firms to understand and comply with Program requirements. Below is a practical guide on how the final rules will impact the business goals of government contractors in the HUBZone Program. . . . Read More

This Just In! SBA’s Implementation of HUBZone Changes and Small Business Runway Extension Act Coming Soon

On November 12-13, 2019, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) hosted its 5th Annual Mentor Protégé Conference where SBA’s John Klein, Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law, answered questions from the audience regarding various mentor-protégé issues. Mr. Klein provided some key insights regarding recent and upcoming SBA rulemakings that will have a significant impact on small business government contractors.  We outline some of these updates below, and will also host a breakfast seminar on November 18, 2019 where Mr. Klein . . . Read More

SBA Publishes Important Proposed Rule Changes to 8(a) and Mentor-Protégé Programs

Today, SBA published a proposed rule  to merge its mentor-protégé programs and amend many of its rules governing the 8(a) program and small businesses. The proposed rule would have significant implications for the government contracting community. Comments are due by January 17, 2020, and  PilieroMazza  will host a seminar on November 18, 2019, from 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM EST at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. Our seminar will feature  Pamela Mazza , Managing Partner of PilieroMazza , and  John Klein , Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law at the  Small Business Administration  (SBA) and . . . Read More

BLOG: SBA Publishes Important Proposed Rule Changes to 8(a) and Mentor-Protégé Programs

Today, SBA published a proposed rule  to merge its mentor-protégé programs and amend many of its rules governing the 8(a) program and small businesses. The proposed rule would have significant implications for the government contracting community. Comments are due by January 17, 2020, and  PilieroMazza  will host a seminar on November 18, 2019, from 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM EST at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. Our seminar will feature  Pamela Mazza , Managing Partner of  PilieroMazza , and  John Klein , Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law at the  Small Business Administration  (SBA) and . . . Read More

BLOG: Small Talk: SBA Size Calculation for Government Contractors

With changes to size standards this year based on inflation estimated to enable 89,730 firms to gain small business status, annual size recertification requirements , and potentially severe penalties for misrepresentation of size, it is essential that government contractors calculate their size correctly and keep their System for Award Management profile up to date. This is often daunting, as size standards differ by industry and, depending on your industry and the procurement you are pursuing, you may have to calculate your size with . . . Read More

BLOG: A Thank You to the Small Business Administration: SBA Takes a Stand on OIG’s Approach to Suspension and Debarment

The ability to suspend and debar contractors is a tool the federal government can deploy when necessary to protect it from unscrupulous contractors. Critically, it is not intended to be used punitively. The reason for this is clear, especially when dealing with small businesses: if you debar or suspend a company without evidence that it is not a responsible contractor, you risk destroying part of the United States’ industrial base and numerous jobs that Americans rely on without good cause. Too often . . . Read More

BLOG: GAO Defers to SBA on When Runway Extension Act Applies

Last year, Congress passed—and President Trump signed—the Small Business Runway Extension Act (the “Runway Extension Act” or the “Act”), which changed the time period for determining a company’s size based on average annual receipts from the previous three years to the previous five years. This summer, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) finally published its proposed rule to amend its regulations and change the period of measurement for receipts-based size calculations from three years to five years.  As my colleague Megan Connor noted . . . Read More

SBA Proposed Rule Changes and How They Will Impact Government Contractors

Presented by Megan Connor and Peter Ford .   Click here  to view the recorded session.   In the last year, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) has issued a number of proposed rules that could have far-reaching impacts on small business government contractors. These include the long-awaited rulemaking implementing the new five-year receipts calculation, inflationary adjustments for receipts-based size standards, and clarifications on the limitations on subcontracting rule. SBA has also proposed major changes to the HUBZone, WOSB/EDWOSB, and 8(a) Programs. Join Megan Connor and . . . Read More